Payson Threesome Takes Third At Rocky Point Triathlon

"Baldy and the Blondes" sounds more like a television sitcom than an accomplished sports team.

But as odd as it might seem, the title is the moniker chosen by a trio of Rim country athletes who traveled to Mexico recently to participate in the Rocky Point Triathlon.

On the team were "blondes" Tiffany Konvalin and Abby Kendall, along with "baldy" Dan Basinski.

With each team member competing in their endurance specialty, the team toured the triathlon course in 2:31.46 and finished third in the 20-team mixed-relay field. Only 18 of the teams finished the rugged competition. More than 600 athletes participated.

Konvalin, a rookie who had never attended or participated in a triathlon before, led off the race for the Payson trio by completing the 1.5 K open ocean swim in 29.52.

Basinski, a longtime Rim country mountain bike enthusiast, peddled the second leg of the event, -- a 40K mountain bike race on rough Mexican roads -- in 1:13.06. His average speed was 21 mph.

After receiving the traditional tag from Basinski, Kendall anchored the team in a 10K run through the streets of downtown Rocky Point. She was clocked in 48.48.

Although the trio was physically spent from the ordeal, they managed to attend the party at the finish line located in front of the Plaza Las Glorias hotel. That evening, the three attended the awards dinner held around the hotel's swimming pool.

All three members of Baldy and the Blondes say they are looking forward to competing in more of the multi-sports events.

Kendall and Konvalin are fitness trainers at Chaparral Pines and Basinski is a real estate agent with ERA Young Realty in Christopher Creek.